Marathon Training Thread

[bluegoose]

Great report, as always, Niku.

I'm signed up for Salt Lake, and am really looking forward to it. However, during my search I really had my eye on one of the bigger races this year. At the top of my list were Nashville Rock and Roll and Washington DC. Both are huge races, much bigger than either of the ones that I've done in the past. Dates didn't work out, so maybe next year I can find a fun one to do.

[Pheidippides]

FYI, here's how I commemorate my marathons. Got this idea from a friend. This is a football display case on its side. My shoes are size 12 so I think most people can do this - the friend who did it has small feet so both her shoes fit.

[OhioBlue]

Awesome report, Niku. One can almost feel they vicariously ran the race after reading it. Almost.

Congrats on a great race and a new PR, man. Sounds like a fun time.

[Pheidippides]

Awesome report, Niku. One can almost feel they vicariously ran the race after reading it. Almost.

Congrats on a great race and a new PR, man. Sounds like a fun time.

If you really want to feel like you ran it, I am more than happy to come to your home and shoot you in both quadriceps with some light birdshot. I think that would get you the full experience.

Actually, I am barely sore today. I may do a recovery jog of about a mile or two, nice and slow, tomorrow morning.

Another epilogue: I mentioned that my wife has decided to do the half next year and I am going to do the Goofy. My dad was so inspired by the fun I had that he's signing up for the half as well (after I talked him down from the full). So the three of us will be lining up in the last corral next January (the two of them because they can't prove their time, and me because I have to run the half slow if I want to finish the full the next day).

[Eddie]

Today I began my 18 week training schedule for the Ogden marathon in May.

A nice and leisurely 3 miles.

I'm using one of Higdon's intermediate schedules, hoping that it helps me break the 4 hour mark. For various reasons I cut back on running back in November and through most of December. So I'm not looking forward to the sore legs while they catch up as I begin again in earnest .

[Sea Chicken]

Today I began my 18 week training schedule for the Ogden marathon in May.

A nice and leisurely 3 miles.

I'm using one of Higdon's intermediate schedules, hoping that it helps me break the 4 hour mark. For various reasons I cut back on running back in November and through most of December. So I'm not looking forward to the sore legs while they catch up as I begin again in earnest .

Good luck. I'll be there too. Keep us posted on your progress.

[bluegoose]

13 weeks until Salt Lake. I had a good run on Saturday, despite still working through some patellofemoral pain. I had a dull ache in my right knee the whole time, but not bad enough to alter my gait pattern or make me want to slow down.

I took my normal Saturday route along the paved local river trail which is normally a 12.5 mile loop. At the usual turnaround point we decided to continue on to a new section of trail which was very hilly for several miles. The first half mile was all uphill, totalling about 300 feet of elevation gain. It turned into rollers after that for the next 1.5 miles before I turned around. It hurt my overall average a bit, but it didn't destroy my legs like I was afraid it would. I was able to recover enough to settle into a nice groove the last several miles and finish the 16 miles at an average of 8:30/mile.

I think it is going to be bit of a stretch for me to do 3:30 in April, considering my recent times, but I am going to continue working hard over the next month or 2 as if it is still possible. We'll see how it works out.

[SteelBlue]

Our little local marathon was held yesterday and the winner was a first time marathoner, 25 years old. The guy went 2:45 on his first try. Crazy.

Sebastian won the marathon with a time of two hours, 45 minutes and 35 seconds, despite never having run the daunting 26.2-mile race before.

“I’m sore, I’m tired, but it’s probably the closest thing I’ve ever had to a runner’s high,” he said after the race. “I’m not sure I’ve ever had one.”

Sebastian said he came to Redding for the marathon because it’s not too far from his native Klamath Falls, Ore. And as a wildland firefighter, he said he doesn’t get many chances to travel during the warmer months.

“That kind of limits your access,” he said.

Although he dabbled in long-distance running in junior high school, Sebastian said he didn’t think about competing in a marathon until a year or two ago

[TheBYUGuy]

Okay, here's the write up. Note that the sum of the mile splits may not quite add up because I accidentally hit the lap button a couple of times while reaching for a water bottle.

Congrats on an awesome race. Like others, your experience almost makes me feel like I want to destroy my body and start a regular running routine.

On an unrelated note, TheBYUGal went for her first real post-pardum run on Saturday while I watched the young'uns. I don't run, but we're both glad that she does.

[Coach McGuirk]

Another epilogue: I mentioned that my wife has decided to do the half next year and I am going to do the Goofy. My dad was so inspired by the fun I had that he's signing up for the half as well (after I talked him down from the full). So the three of us will be lining up in the last corral next January (the two of them because they can't prove their time, and me because I have to run the half slow if I want to finish the full the next day).

that is how it starts. I ran my first half in 2004. By 2011 I now have 5 family members running them with me.

Sorry we couldn't hook up this time, but as this and the diz are annual for us now, we will see each other.

Great job Nik!

[Pheidippides]

that is how it starts. I ran my first half in 2004. By 2011 I now have 5 family members running them with me.

Sorry we couldn't hook up this time, but as this and the diz are annual for us now, we will see each other.

Great job Nik!

Yup. We'll be running the half with you next year.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Coach and niku, you're killing me. I'm thinking seriously of doing this next year, even though I swore a 10K was enough when I ran my first last year. I now run twice a week (other days are on a bike or at the gym), including one five-miler or a 10K, so I think I could step up to a half-marathon by next January.

Because of cycling, other distractions, and more than a half-century of physical degradation, a marathon will NOT happen, but the half sounds both doable and fun. Mrs. PAC doesn't run, but she's a speedwalker and, with the 16-minute/mile limit easily within her grasp, I'm going to nudge her toward participation as well.

BTW, does the half go through Epcot and the Magic Kingdom? Les Chefs de France and the dining hall in Sleeping Beauty's castle may be formidable distractions.

[Pheidippides]

Coach and niku, you're killing me. I'm thinking seriously of doing this next year, even though I swore a 10K was enough when I ran my first last year. I now run twice a week (other days are on a bike or at the gym), including one five-miler or a 10K, so I think I could step up to a half-marathon by next January.

Because of cycling, other distractions, and more than a half-century of physical degradation, a marathon will NOT happen, but the half sounds both doable and fun. Mrs. PAC doesn't run, but she's a speedwalker and, with the 16-minute/mile limit easily within her grasp, I'm going to nudge her toward participation as well.

BTW, does the half go through Epcot and the Magic Kingdom? Les Chefs de France and the dining hall in Sleeping Beauty's castle may be formidable distractions.

It does indeed. Epcot to Magic Kingdom and back. Photog right outside of The Castle, among many other spots (pics to come tomorrow probably).

You and Mrs. PAC are welcome to join our merry band, although no guarantees on speed. It won't be my speed, I'll tell you that - guessing more like 11 or 12 minute miles. My 57 year old father, who has never run more than a couple of miles in his life at one time, is racing, as I said before. I talked to him this evening and he's excited as can be.

[Coach McGuirk]

If I had to choose between running the diz or d-world half, I would choose the diz hands down. More miles in the parks, More volunteers, more characters, more bands, cheer squads, dancers, entertainment and you run through angel stadium.

I think this may be because the diz half is the race while the d-world is just a warm up for the full. Not sure, but that is what I suspect and all the runners with me who had done both agreed.

[PaloAltoCougar]

If I had to choose between running the diz or d-world half, I would choose the diz hands down. More miles in the parks, More volunteers, more characters, more bands, cheer squads, dancers, entertainment and you run through angel stadium.

I think this may be because the diz half is the race while the d-world is just a warm up for the full. Not sure, but that is what I suspect and all the runners with me who had done both agreed.

Hmmm, good info. My esteemed bro- and sis-in-law live just a few miles east of D'land and are always welcoming hosts. I had been thinking about spending that weekend in Mississippi, but visiting my wife's kin instead may buy me enough goodwill to allow a visit to Babs' town the following weekend, and then a week later golf with the CUF Family and the home opener against some scrubs from the PAC-12. September is shaping up very nicely.